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Description:

Economic development grants are available to assist businesses in rural U.S. communities. Up to $175,000 will be awarded to non-profits and universities to provide financial and technical business assistance to individuals and entities. Eligible programs will assist with the start-up, expansion, or operational improvement of rural businesses and cooperatives.

Grants are awarded competitively on an annual basis to Rural Cooperative Development Centers who in turn provide technical assistance to individuals and entities. Grant funds may be used to pay for the cost of establishing and operating centers for rural cooperative development. Centers may have the expertise on staff or they can contract out for the expertise, to assist individuals or entities in the startup, expansion, or operational improvement of rural businesses, especially cooperative or mutually-owned businesses.

Grant funds may be used for, but are not limited to, providing the following to individuals, cooperatives, small businesses and other similar entities in rural areas served by the Center:
(a) Applied research, feasibility, environmental and other studies that may be useful for the purpose of cooperative development.
(b) Collection, interpretation and dissemination of principles, facts, technical knowledge, or other information for the purpose of cooperative development.
(c) Providing training and instruction for the purpose of cooperative development.
(d) Providing loans and grants for the purpose of cooperative development.
(e) Providing technical assistance, research services and advisory services for the purpose of cooperative development.

Project funds may not be used for the following:
1. To purchase, rent, or install laboratory equipment or processing machinery;
2. To pay for the operating costs of any entity receiving assistance from the Center;
3. To pay costs of the project where a conflict of interest exists; or
4. To fund any ineligible activities.

GrantWatch ID#:

GrantWatch ID#: 129331

Estimated Total Program Funding:

$5,800,000

Estimated Size of Grant:

Up to $175,000; The grant period should begin between October 1, 2012 and January 1, 2013.